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Android version?

TheKalle

TheKalle

Well-Known Member
Was wondering if there is a way to upgrade your OS other than having your manufacturer relasing it.
 
Rooting is the only way I know of, others can support that, I never did it. And it’s your carrier that releases, not the manufacturer.
 
Huh? Rooting? Haven't heard of that. I have rooted my phone long ago,and can still not run apps that are only compatible with OS 2.2 or more. My phone run 2.1 Android OS and the manufacturer aren't plannin any new updates.
 
It is possible that your phone would not be powerful enough to handle the upgrade, if its too old a phone. Often it seems, developers won't put out firmware unless there has been an official release of it already!
 
Don't wanna put a downer on it but a quick google suggests it's a decent phone but with low specs (256mb ram, 600mhz clock) & later roms seem to work on higher specs. You're probably better off with something like Titanium backup (you say it's rooted) for freezing apps that you don't need, giving more performance.
 
The manufacturer to the phone I'm currently using, Garmin-Asus have broken their partnership and won't be relasing any updates. That's why I asked about upgrading without the OS upgrade from the manufacturer.
 
My OG Droid was able to run 2.3 just fine but it was only with the help of developers. Has similar specs to your phone but without root and developer's support it likely won't happen.
 
Developers are basically individuals who decide to make their own Android versions. Android is open source so this is possible. For example, while Samsung did not release ICS (Android 4) for the Galaxy S since the hardware supposedly isn't powerful enough to run ICS+TouchWiz, the people from CyanogenMod released a CM9 version for Galaxy S, basically a clean version of Android 4.0 ICS designed to run on a Galaxy S. This allows Galaxy S users to update their phone's to Android 4.0 even if Samsung did not release it.

However there is one catch, Android is not a one size fits all installer like Windows. You need to have custom builds per phone model. So if no developer supported or ever built an Android ROM (installer) for your specific phone model, the only options you have to get updated are (1) make your own ROM, or (2) buy a new phone.
 
Oh. I have 2 questions. Is it hard to make your own Android version?
And what should I do to get developers to make one for me? Can it be any developer? If so, where can I find one?
 
TheKalle said:
Oh. I have 2 questions. Is it hard to make your own Android version?
Click to expand...
Yes. A task for advanced programmers only.

And what should I do to get developers to make one for me?
Click to expand...
Ask very nicely. Offering a substantial cash reward might help.

Can it be any developer? If so, where can I find one?
Click to expand...
No. They should preferably be familiar with your phone or a similar model. Best bet is looking in the XDA Developer forum.
 
^I agree with the above. Cheaper and easier just to go and buy a better phone.^ Depending on your cell carrier, it can be very easy to buy one off of ebay or another place cheap and activate it. Example, say your carrier is Verizon and you want to buy a phone from Ebay, try to buy a phone that was made for Verizon, it will make the switch so much easier. If not, you can still call and support can do a few things to make your new phone work with their system.

Edit:
My opinion -> I just looked up your phone. You can do everything you can do with that phone with a normal droid phone, plus more. I use my phone for navigation and has been pretty good. That is without paying a extra service fee for GPS Navigation. I just have the normal Verizon Nationwide, with text, data, and pix. I use Google Navigation mainly if I need it. Their are several good apps out there on the Google market to replace the Garmin software.
 
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